DPD expands autonomous robot parcel delivery service

DPD is expanding its fleet of autonomous robots with the parcel delivery firm announcing it will be opening a robot base in Lincoln.

The new location is part of a nationwide roll-out that could see up to 30 UK depots operating robots in their locality. 

DPD first introduced robots in Milton Keynes in July 2022, and they are now also out delivering parcels to DPD customers in Raunds and Bristol with more locations to follow this year.  

Based at DPD's Lincoln depot at St Modwens Park, the robots will deliver to the nearby village of Witham St Hughs, via the existing network of footpaths.  

The robots, which have a battery life of up to 12 hours and can deliver within a mile radius of the depot, operate autonomously once they have completed the mapping process, during which the robot is fully supervised and controlled by remote control.  

DPD parcel recipients in Witham St Hughs will receive an SMS when the robot is outside their property and can then use a secure one-time pin code to open the robot and access their parcel.

Once the compartment is closed, the robot will either continue to its next delivery or return to the depot.

The robots, says DPD, can complete up to 30 deliveries a day. 

DPD has worked closely with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) on the introduction of the robots in Witham St Hughs. 

Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for Highways at LCC, said: "This is a very interesting trial of the system, and we will be watching it closely to see how it goes.

“Technology such as this is clearly part of the future of traffic and highways use so it's good to be involved at such an early stage.

“We are interested in the outcomes of this trial and where it could lead for the future."

DPD UK recently issued a sustainability update confirming that the company is on target to deliver a 46% reduction in emissions by the end of 2024, from the 2020 baseline, with a third of its final mile van fleet now electric and 95% of its HGV fleet running on HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil). 

Tim Jones, director of marketing, communications and sustainability for DPD Group UK, said: "The robots have been a huge success for us.

“They have exceeded our expectations in terms of their effectiveness and the feedback from parcel recipients has been fantastic. As result, I'm confident that residents will welcome them.” 

He continued: “The robots have proven themselves in a range of different locations, and having started out as a trial, we have now identified up to 30 depots where they could operate very successfully. 

"As a company we are committed to investing in innovation, learning and challenging ourselves to find new ways to improve our operation and become more sustainable. 

“Our journey to Net Zero is largely dependent on employing ever smarter technologies and, while the robots are one small part of that, they are a great example of integrating autonomous technology into our operation."  

As part of Geopost, DPD UK has a Net Zero target of 2040, which is fully validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). DPD UK has confirmed that the UK operation is on track with the trajectory required to meet the group target.

For more from Fleet News on how DPD is deploying a range of zero-emission solutions as part of a holistic decarbonisation strategy, led by an acceleration of its electric van transition plan, click here.